Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-07-26
THE STATE.

HAS Movement EroP Eocal Self Sow
m Been Abandoned Now i.
h Time to Push it.
To the Press and Dakotaian: Wher
Boss Tweed was reprlmanded for swint
ling the city of New York ne asked thu
question. what sre you going TO dt
about it2"
He received an answer to his question
when the siler turned the key of his cell
The administration is saying the same
thing to the people OF Dakota, wher
they protest against being kept out Of
the union, "What are you going to dc
about it?n
Some will say, I'VE can do nothing
about it," as some did in New York; but
Others said they would do something
and they did.
What can Dakota do without o voice
in oongressP Dakota can either be adj
mitted-as two states at the next session
OF congress or turn the present admins
~tration out of office. This may seen,
like a bold assertion to some, but it is
nevertheless true, if we but use the
power that God has given Ms. II we
fail to use that power, we may wander
in the wilderness of territorial vsssalsge
Tor ten years to come.
The movement put on foot to obtain
division is we'll, 80 far as it goes. 1t will
close Mr., Springer's mouth as to whether
the people want division or not, but will
not materially further the admission
project unless it is followed up with q
positive assertion of our rights as
American citizens. We have a right to
form q state government under the
ordinance of 1887 which has never been
repealed and has just as much force as
the constitution itself. III then we have
the right why not put it in force? Why
not elect our officers, with state and
country, as well as congressional, and
notify congress that our state govern
ment will go into effect on the first day
OF February next. l read in o speech
recently the following:
"The late movement of establishing
q state government is ended. And |
say that it is now time for the people of
Dakota on a new line to take up its
contest anew with congress-"
Who informed the gentleman that the
state movement is ended? Certainly
its people have not done 80. They are
more anxious to go on with the move
ment than they were a year ago. They
have come to the conclusion that mild
measures are as Intellectual with the
present administration as bread pills in
case of fever.
Is it becoming to Dakotaians TO hear
the iron heel of oppression grinding our
very hearts end not utter a cry of dis
tress or say to the oppressor: "Stand
aside ir;you have walked upon our
bosoms long enough: the ground upon
which you walk is holy and sacred; be
off you william; crawl into the den of
political d%ebsuchery and stay there
until your loathsomeness shall be re-
moved"
Is the state movement ended? No!No!
1t is only begun and the cry from every
quarter is, onward and upward. Cleye-
land does not go into the next campaign
with this Dakota question unsettled
if we assert our rights now and demand
of the 50th congress, admission at once
Cleveland will be as Buchanan wax
when be ran for the presidency. He
said TO Governor Geary: "Qaiet Kan.
sas at any cost. II the struggle continues
in Kansas, Pennsylvania will vote for
Fremont" Ii Dakota makes a positive
demand OF congress and drops the Sling
coat of territorial vassalage, not only
Pennsylvania will vote for Fremont's
follower, but other states on which the
democratic party depend will do like.
wise. The democratic party has nc
votes to spare and they know it as well
as we do.
"What are we going to do about it?
Are We going to carry out the prophecy
that the state movement is ended, or are
We going to press to the front2
Napoleon was told OF one time that il
would be impossible for him to cross the
Alps. His only reply was: "If that BIZ
true, then there shall be no Alps" Our
motto shoulds be, if we can't cross the
union line because of the democratic
party, then there shall be no democratic
party.
Insist on the executive board calling
an election and if they have be.
come 30 intimidated that they will mo-
do it, we must do it ourselves.
IL the people say by their vote tina
the state government shall not go into
effect, then we must submit; but if
majority give the command to NOV,
forward, forward it is to victory.
Suppose We get into conflict with th'
officers elected under the territorial laws
What of that. 1t Will only make tn,
issue hotter in the states and bring thu
matter to q close much sooner.
If this opportunity is not improved
and the democratic party remains il
power, there is no hope for admission TO
the next four years. Four years ago W
looked for admission as soon as th
presidential election would be over. Di,
! we get it? No; neither Will we get i
! when the next eleetl,n is W. The part,